Over 40 and ready for change

Sunday

Oct 7, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Joyce Lain Kennedy CAREERS NOW

Q At 42, I've spent 17 years in finance and consulting. I'm on a sabbatical to revalidate my personal and career goals in an effort to rediscover my sense of purpose. I'm closing in on my direction and have several possibilities in mind. Other than engaging a career counselor, can you suggest resources that may help me during this period of transition? — R.Y.

A Your letter reminds me of a few poignant lines by novelist Barry Gifford in his book “Wild at Heart.” He wrote: “Men past 40 get up nights, look out over city lights, and wonder where they went wrong ...”

Since you already have several possibilities in mind, you're ready to do informational interviews, a useful career exploration and job-hunting tool. In these, you ask interviewees prepared questions, such as “How do people break into this field?” or “Where would you try to get a job?”

You could bust your chops to line up informational interviews for free by using your contacts. That approach is probably more easily accomplished by beginners than by seasoned workers.

But when you're willing to invest money in your next career, be aware of a promising new turnkey service that markets the ultimate informational interview: PivotPlanet (PivotPlanet.com). It is the first online destination that matches people pivoting and exploring careers with experts in hundreds of professions via live video or phone. In-person mentorship sessions are also available.

PivotPlanet underscores the point that its advisers are not career counselors or coaches. They are individuals who work in the same career you're exploring. “They've been there and done that, offering you a reality check that is hard to get anywhere else,” says Brian Kurth, the company's CEO.

The cost of the for-fee service ranges from $50 to $360 per hour for digital appointments. In-person advising starts at $250 per day. The higher hourly rates apply to individuals you'd be hard pressed to directly reach yourself — TV script writers and filmmakers, for instance. You know the cost going in — no surprises. And you are not locked into a contract specifying a minimum number of appointments.

PivotPlanet's services aren't free but come at a relatively low cost when looking at the big picture. I've heard enough life stories from men and women who get up nights wondering where they went wrong in their career choices to think that if you can afford to give the ultimate informational interview service a try, you could be getting a lifetime bargain.

Q I'm employed and starting a stealth job search, so I'll ask that interviewers not contact my current employer. Is it possible to bump up my current annual salary by $5,000 without getting caught? — F.F.

A Forget that idea. A potential employer may verify your salary statement by requiring you to provide a recent pay stub or a W-2, or by checking with your present employer AFTER you've accepted the new job offer and withdraw it after you've already quit your job. Instead, find out market rate for your job and practice your negotiation skills.

Q In filling out a job application online, I was asked for my Social Security number. Do I have to give it up or be disqualified? — B. B.

A No, you don't, and no, I wouldn't. Write “Will discuss at interview.” Take this potential bait for identity theft as a wake-up call to view a new, free four-minute film presented by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Search for “Data Breaches: Know Your Rights, YouTube.”

“Data Breaches” is one of a growing number of short films by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse that you'll find on YouTube — all are worth watching.

Email career questions for possible use in this column to Joyce Lain Kennedy at jlk@sunfeatures.com; use “Reader Question” for subject line. Or mail her at Box 368, Cardiff, CA 92007.